In a surprising turn of events at a Regal Cinema in Fort Myers, Florida, two breastfeeding mothers were asked to leave a showing of the comedy film Bad Moms. New moms Sarah Thompson and Emily Johnson were excited to join their friends for a night out, having planned the outing through a Facebook group of 50 women. With 46 of them having pre-purchased tickets, the energy was high as they anticipated the film—especially after all the chatter about how fun it would be.
However, when Sarah and Emily arrived with their infants, they encountered unexpected resistance. Upon picking up their tickets, they were informed that children under six were not permitted in R-rated movies. “We weren’t told about the age restrictions,” remarked Jenna Mills, another group member. “There were breastfeeding moms with their little ones, and they just turned them away.” The theater suggested they attend Ice Age: Collision Course instead, which not only had started an hour prior but also wasn’t what they had come to see.
While Bad Moms does carry an R rating, the policy regarding infants in R-rated films at Regal Cinemas allows for babies to attend as long as the showing starts before 6 p.m. Unfortunately for Sarah and Emily, their screening was at 7:45 p.m. This incident sparked frustration, particularly since both moms felt that the theater could have exercised a bit more understanding regarding their situation. “The babies were asleep and perfectly content. We know how to manage them,” Sarah expressed.
Despite being encouraged to see Ice Age, the two mothers decided to sneak into Bad Moms while their infants napped. However, they were caught and asked to leave. “I had built up so much excitement for this night,” Sarah commented, feeling humiliated in front of friends and strangers alike. “It made me feel like a terrible parent for just wanting a fun night out.”
The group attempted to reason with the theater’s management, offering to sit in a way that would allow them to exit if their babies made noise. However, the manager was unyielding, even insisting that Emily cover up while breastfeeding, despite the legality of public breastfeeding in Florida. The situation escalated to the point where Emily was in tears, prompting the group to leave the theater once they were refunded for their tickets, opting instead to head to a nearby Mexican restaurant to continue their night out.
Kudos to these resilient moms for sticking together and supporting one another in the face of adversity. As the conversation around breastfeeding continues to evolve, it’s clear that community and friendship remain vital for new parents. If you’re looking for more insights on home insemination, check out this comprehensive resource on intracervical insemination.
In summary, the incident highlights the need for theaters to be more communicative about their policies, especially regarding young children. The experience serves as a reminder of the importance of community support for parents navigating the challenges of motherhood.